Thinking

So today is Christmas Eve which has got me thinking. Scary I know, usually me thinking results in some overly profound life changing moment (ok not really). I was planning the day and little things kinda kept finding ways of throwing me off.

Started thinking about family and what that really means. I think this came from the fact that my brother and sis-n-law are far away and I miss them bad. One of my dearest friends is far away and miss her something bad. Oddly enough sitting at McDonald's we had the misfortune of watching a very bad car accident being cleaned up which made me think of their families and the terrible call they will be getting. Quick prayer for those families for God to be by their sides and help them through this difficult time.

And then there is that miracle of a friend that I got to share some time with today. It didn't go exactly as we had planned which I gotta be honest made me a bit sad, but what I realized is that's what family is. When things don't go the way you plan you are sad because you enjoy them so much you truly miss them when you can't be together. And because that one thing doesn't really matter. It's ALL the things that add up that matter. The little things. The shared laughs, the tears, the secrets, the shared adventures.

It also lent itself to another revelation, which was this, I'm not the only family to MY family and I need to share. Family is defined by webster's as:

Definition of FAMILY

1

: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household

2

a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clanb : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race

3

a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship (my personal favorite definition)

Family is a group of people, not a single entity. This time of year is always hard for me. Such sadness has been in my past and we always seem to attach sadness to a timeline. And some of that sadness has been around the holidays. Or I associate it with the holidays. What I realize now, is that my family, my faith, and the blessings God has brought to my life have NEVER been more amazing. I can honestly say there are many people that impact me in some way every day. I want to take a sec to say thank you to three very special people.

Marc ~ my husband, the love of my life, a man who truly does love me as himself, and wants nothing more than for me to be happy. To be loved by someone in such a pure selfless way is a miracle only God can bestow.

Tiffany ~ my best friend, my heart, and my joy. You understand me and love me anyway. You make me laugh and remind me of who I am. You are so loyal, honest, trustworthy, and genuine that my heart swells every time you stand up for me. You are my shield my protector and I love you for it.

Tiffanie ~ my champion, my gentle, loving, kind dear friend. You are so patient and kind. Your heart is bigger than I could ever have imagined possible. You are so strong and thoughtful and full of love. I can see God when I look in your eyes. The love just pours out of you.

I praise God for my both of my Tiffs. We are a trifecta of sorts. Together we are conquerers.

Merry Christmas my loves

To my family ~ I love you, I miss you, and I thank God for you.

JS